Epidemic

General Discussions
#1

Oracle CEO (Larry Ellison) is ‘Disturbed’ by kids who play video games all day.

“I am so disturbed by kids who spend all day playing video games” - Ellison said during a Q&A session at the HCM World conference in Las Vegas

“The famous cliche is, make a difference. Change lives. This technology changes lives in a good way, as opposed to video games.”

These virtual contraptions ensnare the youth, enticing them with their evil ways! Video games are the obvious contrast to changing lives for the better!

I know none of you would tangle with video games but If you see anyone with copies of virtual entertainment, please, call your local law enforcment agency.

#2

Umm… he is kind of correct. Kids that do nothing but play video games all day (I know a bunch) aren’t helping in making this world a better place. Don’t get me wrong, playing video games isn’t a bad thing. But when you do it everyday for hours upon hours… yeah anyone that does that kind of deserves this criticism.

#3

spending 12+ hours a day programming is healthy productivity though :persecutioncomplex:

#4

VideoGames -> Programming -> Job?
At least for me. Oracle isnt “making this world a better place” either, to be fair. And surely most kids, even those who never play video games, are not striving to improve the world. Its just about fun. Thats the point of entertainment.

#5

I highly doubt he’s against games; rather, he doesn’t want kids playing them all day. Younger kids should be exploring -> which will lead up to finding what they like (profession later on) rather than devoting all time to playing games. Additionally, sitting at the computer/couch all day from a young age isn’t going to exactly help obesity problems.

#6

Yes, but how is sitting on your ass for half a day playing videos games helping the Earth and those around you? Its a very selfish thing to say life is all about entertainment, everyone needs to put in a little effort to help others.

I know plenty of people that play video games and don’t want to do anything, including learning programming. Video games does not automatically lead you to be a computer programmer. These kids are growing up with no sense of imagination because they sit in front of computers all day.

You should strive to change the world. Why be mediocre when you can be amazing, everyone has the chance to improve the world. It takes a good person with a good heart to actually follow through with it, and it’s respectful if you even try.

#7

I don’t know anyone that programs 12+ hours a day, and whoever does needs to get another hobby too… at least have something to do on the side that isn’t related to computers. Its just not healthy.

#8

No man, your missing my point. Life isnt about video games, or entertainment, or anything specific. Its about doing what you love to do, with whom you want to do it with. Some guys love to game, nothing wrong with that! Who am I or anyone to say someones youth is worse because its untraditional.

Yea. It doesnt always lead to anything. But it doesnt mean people that hang out on computers have no imagination.

#9

[quote]But it doesnt mean people that hang out on computers have no imagination.
[/quote]
I bet you I can go find data that supports my theory. Kids that sit in front of computers all day long and have smartphones and tablets etc… and use them all the time definitely do have less of an imagination and can’t think as much for themselves.

I never said that it’s wrong to game. I’m saying everything is ok in moderation. If you really think that gaming all day and not contributing to society is ok, then you need a wake up call, no offense. But, if you contribute to the world, I could care less what you do in your free time. I refuse to support people that don’t try for themselves. It’s not right to waste precious resources on people who actively do not try and are ok physically and mentally.

#10

[quote=“saucymeatman,post:1,topic:47017”]
Yeah I think he is right (kind of). Playing video games can be a pleasant kind of diversion but its rarely more than that. And, actualy, its often something much more ugly, that has more to do with pushing drugs or shady banking practices: make people who are poor in managing money addicted to your “free to play” game, then gradually milk out every last cent out of the addiction the game created by selling worthless stuff. The only difference most games make in the life of their players is that they have less money afterwards, have an increased tendency towards escapism, and are overall worse off. These games are bad for you.

However, sometimes computer games manage to rise above this kind of crap. I kind of like how relatively simple games like Papers, please and Defcon: Everybody Dies confront you with a real-world issue, while managing to be fun and interesting at the same time. Some day I hope to be able to make something like this. These, and many other games, are good for you, in moderation (much like a good glass of wine now and then, as opposed to slurping industrial alchohol all day long).

Make a difference, make good computer games.

#11

Heh, how does that compute? Generally it goes like this:

VideoGames -> More VideoGames -> More VideoGames -> More VideoGames -> More VideoGames -> More VideoGames -> More VideoGames …

#12

Meh. You can find excesses in any human pursuit. Reputable studies show massive positive effects stemming from video game playing.

#13

There’s a big difference between playing video games and being addicted to playing video games.

Practically all games (particularly mobile games) these days incorporate cow clicking. Young kids are easy prey.

Games today are absolutely nothing like games were 10 years ago.

#14

I know people who read books all day and do nothing else.

Thats different huh ?

#15

Yeah. I’m thinking of cookie clicker…

#16

Games are never as good as they were when you 13 (give or take a few years).